Nelson and the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra in Riga

By Alain Lompech, 05 September 2021

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“Living through this musical experience is a privilege”

Reviewed at Latvian National Opera, Riga on 4 September 2021

Wagner, Die Walküre (extraits : acte I, Adieux de Wotan)

Andris Nelsons, Conductor

Christine Goerke, Sieglinde

Klaus Florian Vogt, Siegmund

Günther Groissböck, Wotan, Hunding

Bayreuth Festival Orchestra

A witty hotel Don Giovanni opens Blackwater Valley Festival

Andrew Larkin, 27th May

Tom Creed’s witty production at Lismore Castle delivers strong singing, sharp comedy and lively orchestral playing, even if the opera’s darker supernatural edges are somewhat diminished.

****1

Werther revived at San Carlo: an anatomy of emotional isolation

Lorenzo Fiorito, 26th May

Willy Decker’s psychologically intense Werther returns to the Teatro di San Carlo with a deeply human interpretation by Francesco Demuro and refined conducting by Lorenzo Passerini.

*****

A birthday reimagining of Il viaggio a Reims in Salzburg

Laura Servidei, 25th May

In Barrie Kosky’s hyperactive staging, Il viaggio a Reims becomes a birthday tribute to Cecilia Bartoli complete with rewritten text, extravagant costumes, sexual escapades and a giant cake.

***11

A noble Norma trapped in a hollow dystopia

Andrew Larkin, 24th May

Salome Jicia delivers a vocally impressive and emotionally committed Norma, but Orpha Phelan’s post-apocalyptic staging fatally weakens Bellini’s sacred tragedy.

***11

Superb musical performances in Pinchgut’s Scarlatti rarity in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 23rd May

As usual, Pinchgut lavishes musical excellence on an obscure Baroque work... but why stage an oratorio?

****1

A deli-cious revival of Rossini’s Il turco in Italia at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 23rd May

Mariame Clément’s production of Rossini's meta comedy is tightly revived with some excellent singing. Come for the writing tips, stay for the cured meats.

****1

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Alain Lompech

Pendant trente ans, Alain Lompech, né en 1954, a été critique musical et journaliste au Monde de la musique puis au Monde, dont il a été chef des pages « Art et Spectacles » puis chef d'édition, tout en tenant la chronique « Jardins » du quotidien. Il a produit de nombreuses émissions sur France Musique, station dont il a été le directeur adjoint et chef des programmes, et où il est l'un des membres réguliers de « La Tribune des critiques de disques ». Il publie chaque mois des critiques de disques dans le mensuel Diapason. Alain Lompech a publié le premier volume des Grands pianistes du XXe siècle, chez Buchet-Chastel, et travaille à la rédaction du deuxième volume.

Andris Nelsons and the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra triumphant in Riga